UNEXPECTED

Wary, the rose-breasted grosbeak
stretched around the feeder and eyed me.
She wore a brown jacket, a professional
ready for a day at the office.
He came wearing his rose spot, wounded.
Yesterday, as you left the house,
red appeared in the crab apple,
well before the fruits, and flew
to the rhododendron. A cardinal?
I did not expect this black wing
below the high ceiling of forest leaves.
The scarlet tanager picked at insects
on the limb while its olive mate
splashed in the dust below.
Later, no longer wary, you called
and thanked me for the help
I gave you with the letter.
No longer wary, I loved your call.